Malaria Cases Reduced to 59% says SOS MBOWE

MOMODOU FAAL, THE GAMBIA

The Secretary Of State For Health And Social Welfare Of The Gambia, Dr. Tamsir Mbowe, recently told the National Assembly, during question and answer session, that his department has registered 59% reduction of malaria cases in the country. The Health Secretary said the reduction was due to programmes such as the monthly cleaning exercise commonly known as (operation clean the nation ),which was intiated by the President  of the Gambia Dr. Alh.Yahya Jammeh. He said another reason was the use of fansider in pregnancy, which has been instrumental for the achievement.

Dr Mbowe told Parliamentarians through the regular sensitization of health workers, communities are now using insecticide treated nets. He revealed that in the urban areas health worker used to have problems with the usage of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) but now many people are using it. He said the inflow of monies from the GLOBAL FUND to the country has also made an impact on the reduction of malaria in the Gambia because it has come to complement government effort in the fight against malaria. He added that spraying and larviciding are also carried at regurlar bases by health personnel in swampy areas and rice fields Contributing to the debate,  the Deputy Speaker Of the National Assembly, Honourable Abdoulie Bojang, commended the health department for the success registered in the fight against malaria. He said health is a cross-cutting issue and should be every one’s business not only for the department of states .Hon.Bojang challenged his colleagues to sensitise their electorates on the symptoms and prevention of malaria in their various regions.